ential."

"It shall be treated as such," replied Dr. Dutton.

"I think it probable," said Fred, "that John Rexford's store was robbed
and burned, and it is not altogether impossible that it was done to
raise this money for Mr. Simmons."

"Oh, that can't be so," returned the doctor, amazed at the thought.

"There are reasons that lead me to think so."

"And Matthew might have done it to try and injure you," put in Nellie,
as she thought how far De Vere had carried his malice.

"That might be so," replied Fred, "but I reason from the belief that
Matthew was forced to raise the money."

"Is that the only point on which you found your theory?" asked Dr.
Dutton.

"No, sir. I thought something was wrong when Jacob Simmons first met me
in the mill. He seemed fairly startled on seeing me. I decided then to
keep my eyes open. In a few days I saw him use a peculiar knife--called
a mechanic's pocket knife--which is in itself quite a kit of tools. I
managed to have Jack Hickey borrow it so I could examine it. The minute
I had it in my hands I recognized it as the very one that was in Mr.
Rexford's show case when I left his store. It was an expensive knife,
and I don't believe Simmons ever bought it.

"That is a good piece of evidence, surely," replied the doctor, "but can
you get the knife when you need it?"

"I have bought it," and he explained his method of obtaining it.
"Moreover," continued Fred, "I remember when I was tried for burning Mr.
Rexford's store, Matthew and Tim were both present. They sat together
and showed a very keen interest in the trial, and when it went in my
favor, their disappointment was plainly to be seen."

"Did it occur to you then that they possibly had anything to do with
burning the store?"

"No, but knowing what I do now, it seems to me probable. This paper
furnishes just the evidence I was waiting for."

"I admire your bold reasoning, Fred," said the physician.

"His theory seems plausible," added Mrs. Dutton, "though I can't believe
Matthew would think of doing such an act."

Fred felt much pleased at the good impression he was evidently making
upon Nellie's parents.

"I may be entirely wrong," he replied, "but I have sufficient confidence
in the idea to feel warranted in testing the matter."

"I would advise you to do so," said the doctor.

Presently Fred arose to go, and after receiving a cordial invitation
from the doctor and his wife to call often, and a cheerful good nigh